Spring-Coupled Robot Tool Carrier for Collision Resilience
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging unit handling arrangements using robots face challenges with safe and precise movement at high speeds, risk of damage from collisions with foreign objects, and inefficient tool changes due to a relatively rigid coupling between the tool carrier and mounting part, leading to potential equipment damage and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable spring arrangement allows for varying tension forces between the tool carrier and mounting part, enabling high resilience during slow movements in critical areas to prevent damage and rapid movements in safe areas, while also facilitating quick and safe tool changes by stabilizing the tool carrier during exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the tool carrier is rigidly coupled to the mounting part, then positioning precision is improved, but damage risk upon collision increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a spring mechanism that pre-absorbs collision forces. The spring is pre-loaded to provide cushioning force before collision occurs, allowing the tool carrier to deflect safely upon impact with foreign objects, thereby reducing damage risk while maintaining positioning precision during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical parameter of coupling rigidity by using a spring-based connection instead of a rigid coupling. The spring constant and preload force are optimized to provide sufficient rigidity for precise positioning during normal handling, while allowing controlled deflection under collision loads to prevent damage.
2Reliability
If the spring force is increased to maintain engagement under heavy loads, then reliability is improved, but damage risk upon collision increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the spring force adjustable rather than fixed. The spring preload can be dynamically modified based on operating conditions - increased for heavy loads to maintain reliable engagement, and decreased or allowed to deflect during collisions to reduce damage risk. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between reliability and damage prevention.
3Productivity
If the robot arm moves at high speed, then productivity is improved, but safety risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism serves as a beforehand cushioning system that is always ready to absorb collision forces during high-speed operation. This allows the robot arm to move at high speeds for improved productivity while the spring provides passive safety protection against collisions with foreign objects, reducing the severity of potential accidents.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the latching members are pressed firmly against the seats, then stability is improved, but tool change time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the latching function from a permanent rigid connection and makes it removable through a release mechanism. The latching members can be firmly engaged for stable operation, but can also be quickly released when tool changes are needed. This separation of engagement and disengagement functions resolves the contradiction between stability and tool change speed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures safe and precise handling of packaging units with reduced risk of damage and injury, enabling rapid and secure tool changes, and allowing the same mounting part to be used with multiple tool carriers, thus enhancing operational safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a spring arrangement (26) which is affixed to the tool carrier (20) and to the framework (21), wherein the spring arrangement (26) is adjustable between a first state in which the tool carrier (20) is resiliently coupled to the mounting part (10) and a second state in which the tool carrier (20) is rigidly coupled to the mounting part (10)
Implementation Method 2
the tool carrier (20) is resiliently coupled to the mounting part (10)
Data Source
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AI summary
An arrangement for handling packaging units, such as bottles, crates and the like with the aid of a robot, wherein the arrangement includes a mounting part (10) which is adapted for fixation to a robot arm, a tool carrier (20) which is adapted to carry one or more handling tools (30) such as a number of bottle grippers or the like, and a number of couplings each comprising a first engagement member (13) affixed to the mounting part, and a second engagement member (24) affixed to the tool carrier, wherein the second engagement member is restrictively displaceable axially relative to the first engagement member, so that the second engagement member will take a latching position relative to the first engagement member under the effect of gravity on the tool carrier in engagement with the first engagement member, wherein the working state of the tool carrier relative to the mounting part is defined when all second engagement members are in their respective latching positions.